Hanger bracket and support bar combination for merchandise rack



Feb. 14, 1967 G. E. BRHGGS HANGER BRACKET AND SUPPORT BAR COMBINATIONFOR MERCHANDISE RACK Filed June 22, 1965 Mmmm 22K/62452211 @902:96 E.'/gg J6 @12m zza@ yfwwgyw www? United States atent 3,303,935 HANGERBRACKET AND SUPPORT BAR COMBI- NATION FOR MERCHANDISE RACK George E.Briggs, Rockford, Ill., assignor to The Boye Needle Company, Chicago,Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed June 22, 1965, Ser. No. 465,962 6Claims. (Cl. 211-57) This invention relates to a hanger bracket andsupport bar combination for a merchandise rack. The hanger bracket andsupport combination has particular utility in a stepped rack or case fordisplaying carded merchandise.

Merchandise such as knitting needles and related art needlework productsare commonly packaged by attachment to fiat cards which may be displayedin stair-step arrangement in a suitable case. The top portion of thecards are provided with an opening which may be received on lthelprojecting end of the hanger bracket. A supply of duplicate items maytherefore be carried on the same bracket, while supplies of differentitems are carried on other brackets. Since the carded packages vary insize and shape, and the items stocked by a particular dealer at any onetime may vary considerably, and the location of the items within thedisplay will depend on the desire of the particular dealer, there is aneed to provide a hanger bracket and support bar combination whichpermits almost unlimited variability in the arrangement of the items ondisplay. More specifically, it is desirable to maintain each of the barsor steps of the display completely yf-ull of merchandise at all times,while at the same time permitting ready relocation of the items andmerchandise, or rearrangement of the stock to permit new or ditferentitems to `be added to the display. It is also desirable to avoid thepresence of empty hanger brackets, and to permit the items on display tobe moved from one part of the display to another without removing theitems from the han-ger brackets.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a hangerbracket and support bar combination which substantially accomplishes theobjectives set out above. More specifically, it is an object to providehanger brackets which cooperate with a support bar to provide a readilyremovable, longitudinally positionable holder for individual items ofmerchandise, the brackets being removable when empty, or selectivelypositionable without removal of the items of merchandise. A stillfurther object is to provide a hanger bracket and support barcombination of the character described wherein the bracket is readilyremovable and insertable in the support bar while at the same time beingsecurely retained within the bar. Further objects and advantages will beindicated in the following detailed specification.

This invention is shown in an illustrative embodiment in theaccompanying drawing, in which- FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary frontelevational view of a merchandise display rack or case incorporating thepresent invention, carded knitting needles being shown on display forthe purpose of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side sectional view of the display rack of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of one of the support barsshowing a hanger bracket therein, part of the bar ibeing broken away toshow the portion of the bracket -which is received therein;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the hanger brackets;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the hanger bracket and support barcombination, only a portion of the support bar being shown;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the hanger bracket and ice support barcombination taken on line 6 6 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is another sectional view taken on line 7 7 of FIG. 5.

Looking first at FIGURES 1 and 2, there is shown the upper portion of adisplay rack or case designated generally by the number 10. The rack hasside panels 11 and 12 of triangular configuration, and includes `aplurality of support ba-rs 13 arranged in stepped or staircase fashionfrom the lower to the upper portion of the rack. The support bars 13extend between the end panels 11 and 12, and are rigidly attached to theend panels Iby any suitable means, such as wood screws where the barsare formed of wood, as preferred. The bars 13 may also be iformed ofmetal or plastic or other suitable material, but wooden support bars areparticularly suitable.

The bars 13 can be described as elongated, horizontally aligned supportbars for a merchandise display rack. As shown more clearly in FIG. 3,the bars 13 provide a top surface 14, which is preferably iiat andextends in a horizontal plane as shown. The bar top surface 14 has alongitudinal groove 15 running -therealong and extending downwardly intothe bar. Preferably, as shown, the groove 15 is of uniform width, havingvertically-extending side walls, and a at bottom 16 lying in ahorizontal plane.

In accordance with the present invention, hanger brackets designatedgenerally by the number 17 cooperate with the support bars 13 to providereadily lremovable, longitudinally positionable holders for individualitems of merchandise, such as the carded knitting needles A shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

For achieving the maximum benefits of the present invention, thebrackets 17 are preferably formed of metal rod stock, such as coldrolled steel, of rectilinear cross section. The thickness of the rodstock should correspond to the width of the groove 15 so that a portionof the rod may be slidably received in the groove 15. For example, therod stock may have a thickness just slightly less than the width of thegroove 15 so that the rod can be readily inserted and removed, while atthe same time being snugly received.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bracket 17 is formed fromone piece of rod stock, and provides an angular section which isreceived within the groove 15, the angular section including a leg 13which extends downwardly from top surface 14 toward the bottom 16 of thegroove 15, and a foot 19 which extends longitudinally from the lower endof leg 1S. The foot 19 is preferably disposed close to the leg 18 andextends along the bottom 16, with the lower surface thereof insupportive contact with bottom 16, as shown in FIG. 3.

Bracket 17 also provides a hanger section 2li which extends forwardlyfrom the upper end of leg 18 over a portion of top surface 14.Preferably, the underside of hanger section extending over the surface14- is in supportive contact therewith, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 6and 7. The end of hanger section 2t? may be provided with anupwardly-inclined hanger portion 21, which tends to keep the cards frombeing unintentionally dislodged from the brackets.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the rectilinearcross section of the bracket 17 is highly advantageous. Flat side wallsare provided for engaging the sides and bottom of the groove 15 `and aportion of the upper surface 14. The stability of the brackets wheninserted in the groove 15 is thereby promoted.

The retention of the brackets 17 within the grooves 15 may be furtherimproved without sacrificing ease of removability by a constructionalfeature which will now be described.

As previously noted, the leg 18 and foot 19 are integrally connected. Asshown more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, the leg 18 and the foot 19 areconnected by a bend 22 which varies in thickness from its inner corner22a to its outer corner 221). More specically, the transverse width `ofthe outer corner 22h is substantially less than that of the inner corner22a, thereby imparting a wedge shape to the corner 22. In one preferredembodiment, the thickness of the inner corner 22a is substantially thesame as, or slightly greater than, the width of groove 15, while thethickness of the outer corner 22h is substantially less than the widthof the groove 15. In terms of the normal width of the bar stock 20, theinner corner 22a should have a thickness slightly greater than the widthof the bar stock, while the outer corner 22h has a thickness slightlyless than that of the bar stock.

A further advantage is obtained where the inner corner 22a terminates ina relatively sharp edge on each side thereof, especially when thehangers are employed in connection with support bars formed of wood.

The preferred construction is shown more clearly in FIGS. 6 and 7. Aswill be noted, the outer faces of the inner corner 22a of the bend 22bear against and frictionally engage the side Walls of the groove 15,while the outer faces -of the outer corner 22a are spaced farther fromthe side walls of the groove than the normal spacing of the rest of leg18 and foot 19.

Where the outer corner 22a provides sharp edges 22e, as preferred, theedges 22C tend to slightly dig into the side walls of the groove 15, asindicated in FIGS. 6 and 7. This provides a secure frictional interlockbetween the corner 22 and the walls of the groove 15, while at the sametime permitting the ready insertion and removal of the brackets 20. Asimilar frictional interlock, however, can ,be provided where the edges22C are slightly ground or smooth to provide a more extendedsurface-to-surface contact between the side walls of the groove and theside faces of inner corner 22a.

In the foregoing specification, the term rectilinear has been used asreferring to the bar stock from which the hangers are formed. This termis intended to cover both square and rectangular shapes, although asquare cross section is preferred.

Operation The operation of the support bar and hanger bar combination ofthis invention will be largely apparent from the foregoing description.However, it may be briey summarized as follows:

Each of the support bars 13 will be provided with a plurality of thehanger brackets 17, the brackets being placed at longitudinally spacedlocations along the bars. The locations will be determined by thedesired spacing and arrangement of the items of merchandise to bedisplayed. For example, in the illustration given, ten hanger bracketsare shown on the uppermost support rod 13 in FIG. l. The merchandisecards A will be provided with openings a through which the hangersection 20 extends in supporting the cards.

If it is desired to remove or change the location of a bracket 17, thiscan be done by grasping the section 2t) with the hand and moving thebracket upwardly to lift the leg 18 and foot 19 out of the groove 15,thereby releasing the frictional interlock between the corner 22 and thesides of the groove 15. During the transfer of a bracket from onelocation to another, the cards can remain on the hanger section 20. Itwill be apparent that the hangers 20 may be positioned at any locationon the bar, or moved from bar to bar. The hangers are readily insertedby moving leg 18 and foot 19 downwardly into grooves 15 with a firmmotion. When leg 18 is fully inserted, the foot 19 will have itsunderside in contact with the groove .bottom 16, and the corner 22a ofthe bend 22 will be in frictional engagement with the walls of groove15.

While in the foregoing specication this invention has been described inrelation to a preferred embodiment thereof and many details have beenset forth for the purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additionalembodiments and that certain of the details set forth herein can bevaried considerably without departing from the basic principles of theinvention.

I claim:

1. In combination:

(a) an elongated horizontally aligned support bar for a merchandisedisplay rack,

said bar providing a top surface having a longitudinal groove runningtherealong and extending downwardly into said bar, said grove being ofuniform width and having vertically extending side Walls; and (b) ahanger bracket cooperating with said support bar to provide a readilyremovable, longitudinally positionable holder for individual items ofmerchandise,

said bracket being formed of metal rod stock of rectilinear crosssection of a thickness slidably receivable in said groove, said brackethaving an angular section received within said groove including a legextending downwardly from said top surface toward the bottom of said4groove and a foot extending longitudinally from the lower end of saidleg along the bottom of said groove, said bracket also providing ahanger section extending forwardly from the upper end of said leg over aportion of said top surface and projecting outwardly beyond said bar.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said leg and foot are integrallyconnected by a bend which has a thickness greater than that of said barstock at its inner corner, said inner corner being in frictionalengagement with the side walls of said groove.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said bar is formed of wood andsaid hanger bracket is formed of metal rod stock having a square crosssection.

4. In combination:

(a) an elongated horizontally aligned support bar for a merchandisedisplay rack,

said bar providing a top surface having a longitudinal groove runningtherealong and extending downwardly into said bar, said groove being of`uniform width and having vertically extending side walls; and (b) ahanger bracket cooperating with said support bar to provide a readilyremovable, longitudinally positionable holder for individual items ofmerchandise,

said bracket being formed in one piece of metal rod stock of rectilinearcross section of a thickness slidably receivable in said groove, saidbracket having :an angular section received within said groove includinga leg extending downwardly from said top surface toward the bottom ofsaid groove and a foot extending longitudinally from the lower end ofsaid leg along the bottom of said groove in supportive contacttherewith, said leg and foot being integrally connected by a bend which-has a thickness greater than that of said bar stock at its inner cornerand a lesser thickness than that of said bar stock at its outer corner,the thickness of said inner corner being substantially the same as thewidth of said groove to provide a tight wedge with the side wallsthereof, and said bracket also providing a hanger section extendingforwardly from the upper end of said leg over a portion of said topsurface in supportive contact therewith and projecting outwardly beyondsaid bar.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said bar is formed of wood andsaid hanger bracket is formed of metal rod stock having la square crosssection.

6. In combination:

(a) an elongated horizontally aligned support bar for a merchandisedisplay rack,

said bar providing a top surface having a longitudinal groove runningtherealong and extending downwardly into said bar, said groove being ofuniform width and having vertically extending side walls; and (b) aplurality of hanger brackets cooperating with said support bar atlongitudinally-spaced locations to provide readily removable,longitudinally positionable holders for individual items of merchandise,each of said brackets being formed of metal rod stock of rectilinearcross section of a thickness slidably receivable in said groove, each ofsaid brackets having an angular section received within said grooveincluding a leg extending downwardly from said top surface toward thebottom of said groove rand a foot extending longitudinally from thelower end of said leg along the bottom of said groove,

said leg and foot being integrally connected by a bend which has athickness greater than that of said bar stock at its inner coner and alesser thickness than that of said bar stock at its outer corner,

the thickness of said inner corner being substantially the same as thewidth of said .groove to provide a tight wedge with the side wallsthereof, and

each of said brackets also providing a hanger section extendingforwardly from the upper end of said leg over a portion of said topsurface and projecting outwardly beyond said bar.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 576,453 2/1897Henderson 211-57 3,051,427 8/1962 Alvarez 248-224 3,198,469 8/1965Callanan 248-223 3,252,678 5/1966 Myers et al. 248-223 5 CLAUDE A. LEROY, Primary Examiner.

W. D. LOULAN, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN COMBINATION: (A) AN ELONGATED HORIZONTALLY ALIGNED SUPPORT BAR FORA MERCHANDISE DISPLAY RACK, SAID BAR PROVIDING A TOP SURFACE HAVING ALONGITUDINAL GROOVE RUNNING THEREALONG AND EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY INTOSAID BAR, SAID GROVE BEING OF UNIFORM WIDTH AND HAVING VERTICALLYEXTENDING SIDE WALLS; AND (B) A HANGER BRACKET COOPERATING WITH SAIDSUPPORT BAR TO PROVIDE A READILY REMOVABLE, LONGITUDINALLY POSITIONABLEHOLDER FOR INDIVIDUAL ITEMS OF MERCHANDISE, SAID BRACKET BEING FORMED OFMETAL ROD STOCK OF